(照片來自網路)
1936年1月20日，英王愛德華八世即位。他堅持與一名離過婚的美國婦女結婚，遭到教會和各自治政府的反對。他不肯讓步，宣布退位，並於1936年12月11日在溫莎堡的奧古斯塔塔樓向全國作了告別廣播講話，演出了“不愛江山愛美人”的歷史活劇。
愛德華後來被封為溫莎公爵。溫莎古堡現為英國女王行宮。平時也對外開放，供遊人參觀。
下面影片即為愛德華八世的退位演說,與大家分享:
(謝謝歌迷Laurie提供原文供大家參考)
( 中譯：Jannet, 若有任何語譯錯誤及缺失,敬請不吝來函指教.)
At long last I am able to say a few words of my own. I have never wanted to withhold anything, but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak.
终於我可以發表一些心裡想說的話了..我從來就不願意隱藏任何事情, 但直到現在, 在憲法允許下,終於可以說出心裡的話了..
A few hours ago I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor, and now that I have been succeeded by my brother, the Duke of York, my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart.
幾個小時前,我已經卸下作為帝國王位的最後職責, 現在這王位已交由弟弟來繼承, 也就是York公爵, 對此..首先我要發自內心,宣示對他的效忠之心意.
You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the empire, which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to serve.
人民都知道迫使我拋棄王位的原因. 但希望你們了解雖然做此決定, 並未讓我忘卻國家及大英帝國. 畢竟在此之前, 身為Wales王儲及國王等任務已達25年之久的時間.
But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.
但是請相信雖然希望承接皇室任務..但當發現沒有心愛的女人的幫忙及支持, 是無法執行所擔負的重責大任時, 只有卸下王位一途..
And I want you to know that the decision I have made has been mine and mine alone. This was a thing I had to judge entirely for myself. The other person most nearly concerned has tried up to the last to persuade me to take a different course.
I have made this, the most serious decision of my life, only upon the single thought of what would, in the end, be best for all.
但是請了解我所做的決定都是出於自己一人. 這完全來自我個人的判斷. 其他關心的人幾乎都試著勸我採取不同作法. 我做了生命中最重要的決定, 僅出於單一想法..這是對每人都好的方式..
This decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long training in the public affairs of this country and with his fine qualities, will be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the empire. And he has one matchless blessing, enjoyed by so many of you, and not bestowed on me -- a happy home with his wife and children.
這個決定對我來說較不困難,因為對弟弟的熟悉, 其長期在國家事務運作及本身的優秀素質, 必然可以迅速接替我的位置,而不致干擾或傷害到政府運作. 而他也受到無數祝福, 為人民所愛戴及背後有著我所沒有的妻子及孩子的幸福家庭為依靠.
During these hard days I have been comforted by her majesty my mother and by my family. The ministers of the crown, and in particular, Mr. Baldwin, the Prime Minister, have always treated me with full consideration. There has never been any constitutional difference between me and them, and between me and Parliament. Bred in the constitutional tradition by my father, I should never have allowed any such issue to arise.
在這段艱難日子以來, 我獲得了母親及家人的安慰.而內閣,特別是首相, Baldwin先生也已經對我充分諒解. 在我,內閣及議會間也從未造成憲法歧異. 而根源於父親所建立的憲法慣例,我的退位也絕不允許有任何問題發生.
Ever since I was Prince of Wales, and later on when I occupied the throne, I have been treated with the greatest kindness by all classes of the people wherever I have lived or journeyed throughout the empire. For that I am very grateful.
自從我是Wales 王子並於日後繼位以來, 在住處及到英國各地拜訪時,都感受著各階層人民對我的善意, 讓我相當感激.
I now quit altogether public affairs and I lay down my burden. It may be some time before I return to my native land, but I shall always follow the fortunes of the British race and empire with profound interest, and if at any time in the future I can be found of service to his majesty in a private station, I shall not fail.
現在我停止執行所有國家公共事務及放下本身重擔. 或許有一段時間不會回到祖國. 但是仍帶著濃厚興趣,密切注意大英帝國的訊息. 假如在將來時, 國王有需要我私下服務的地方, 我不會讓他失望.
And now, we all have a new King. I wish him and you, his people, happiness and prosperity with all my heart. God bless you all! God save the King!
而現在,我們有了一位新任的國王, 我全心祝福他和他的子民, 充滿著快樂及幸福 . 願上帝祝福你們大家..天佑吾皇!!
Edward VIII - December 11, 1936
愛德華八世於1936年12月11日
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